Healthcare Coalition’s Day of Action Highlights Importance of Supporting Immigrant Healthcare Workers

A coalition of healthcare workers and supporters entitled “Healthcare Needs All of Us” held a day of action Thursday to highlight the importance of supporting immigrant healthcare workers. The day began with a morning news conference at City Hall, and continued with afternoon actions, including lunchtime rallies at Maimonides and Interfaith Medical Centers in Brooklyn. Thursday's events were led by coalition members including the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), National Nurses United, 1199SEIU, Committee of Interns and Residents/SEIU, and AFSCME DC37. NYC CLC President Brendan Griffith emceed the morning press conference.

“NYSNA is proud to be part of a coalition that is fighting back to protect our immigrant members and co-workers because it’s the right thing to do, and also because delivering quality care relies on having enough staff,” said Nancy Hagans, RN, BSN, CCRN, President of NYSNA. “This administration has shown through the so-called One Bill Beautiful Bill Act that it is determined to dismantle healthcare funding and access to care for millions of people. Through its attacks on immigrants, it’s now dismantling the workforce that delivers care.” Other speakers included AFSCME DC37 President Henry Garrido, CIR Secretary-Treasurer Dr. Melissa Marseille, 1199SEIU Senior Executive Vice President Nadine Williamson, Congressmember Grace Meng, Council Members Mercedes Narcisse and Lynn Schulman, and Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Faiza Ali.

Nearly 20% of the United States’ essential caregivers and providers in hospitals, nursing homes, and home and community-based care were born outside of the United States. Roughly one million hold legal work permissions that are being threatened under the Trump Administration, which has launched the largest de-documentation push in U.S. history. The coalition is standing up to protect the healthcare workforce, and access to safe, quality care for the nation’s most vulnerable patients. Read more about the Healthcare Needs All of Us coalition here and on the coalition's website!